Compressing system.



PATENTED JUNEv 9.7.1903.

No. vso-,495.

l G. W. VOLLMANN.

ooMPRBssING SYSTEM.

APLIGATIUN FILED 00T, 14, 1901A NG MODEL.

F/EJ.

TH: nomas Prrsns cc. wow-mno., wgs'nmnron, ac.

Patented une 9, 19,03.

PATENT OFFICE.

CARL WILHELM VOLLMANN, OF MNTREAL, CANADA.

compass-smc SYSTEM.'

SPECIEEGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,495, dated June 9, 1903. Application nea ouate 14,1901.' serai 1ra-78,655, (No mais.)

Tow/ZZ whom, it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, CARL WILHELM'VOLL- MANN, manufacturer, of the city of Montreal, district of Montreal, and Province of Quebec, Canada,'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compressing Systems; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates particularly to the compressing systems used usually for ammoniacal refrigeration and like purposes, although it can be used to advantage Wherever a gas is compressed for refrigeration or other purposes. lleretoi'ore in these systems a considerable loss has been experienced by a portion of the compressed iluid at the completion of each stroke, being trapped in the clearancespace between the piston-face and cylinder end. This portion of the Vcompressed duid, it has been found, expands as the piston advances upon its next stroke and prevents theA opening of the inlet-valve'uzitil the expansion of said trapped portion reduces its pressure below that of the fluid to be drawn in for compression, thus preventing the cylinder during each stroke iilling to its full capacity with the fluid to be compressed, and thereby detractng considerably from the efliciency of the compressor.

The object of myinvention is to obviate'this defect, and, furthermore, to render a compressing system of this type capable `of supplying at will different quantities of compressed fluid. .l K

To this end the invention may be said, .broadly speaking, to consist in furnishing the compression-cylinder of a compressingsystem with aV fluid-conductor leading from end to end thereof, said conductor being controllcd by automatically-actuated valvular means adapted to allow the compressed fluid trapped in the clearance-space= to low into the space on the opposite side of the piston, thereby utilizing same to raise the pressure in the already full cylindrical chamber, in which more eiiicacious initial state before compression it is Worked, therebyincreasing the efficiency of the system. The cylinder is, besides being, as usual, in communication with a supply of the fluid to be compressed, also preferably in communication with a ,different supply thereof, this latter supply bein g held under a greater pressure than that `of therst-mentioned supply, and when the Figure l is a plan View, partly in section,

of the apparatus of a compressing system according to my invention. Fig. 2 isaside elevation of the means for actuating the automatic valves. Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of one of the automatic valves,

and Fig; 4 is a diagrammatical view indicat.

ing the arrangement of my improved compressing system in an ammoniacal refrigerating system.

The compressor-cylinder b, piston c, intakevalves d, and exhaust-valves e are and may be of the construction usually employed in the mostV approved types of compressing systems. The T-pipe j', connected to the chambers g of the intake-valves, as usual, conducts the expanded vapors to be compressed, and T-pipe h conducts the compressed vapors discharged from the cylinder, to be utilized as may be desired. These T-pipes f and h are usually connected, respectively, to opposite ends of va circuit including, when considered from the exhaust-ports to the intake-ports of the compressor, a condenser-coil m, a regulating-valve n, and` refrigerator-coil` o, (indicated in dia'gram in Fig.V 4L and well known to those skilled in theconstruction of ammoniacal refrigerating systems.)

In order to economize the compressed vapor trapped between the compressiouface of the pistonand the end of the cylinder and utilize it to increase the pressure of the fluid ready to be compressed by the neXt stroke, I construct the cylinder b with boring-s p, one at each end of the circumferential wall thereof, and set a bushing 'q in each.` Thev inner ends of these bushings each abuts against a shoulder r and are formed to constitute seats s for a pair of valves and their outer ends are borne upon and retained in place by the glands ,o of a pair of stufling-boxes w, while -the stems 2 of the valves project through said stuiling-boxes and are automatically operated IOO either in unison or alternately, according to requirements, as will be presently set forth. Each of the valve-chambers has a tapped lat- 'eral boring 5, into which the ends of a pipe 6 are screwed, thereby effecting a communication through the valve-chambers with the opposite ends of the cylinder, while a channel 7 is cut in the interior of the cylindrical wall of the cylinder from the port of each vvalvechamber to the cylinder-head adjacent thereto to enable the valve chambers to be in communication with the extreme ends, or, in other words, the points which the piston must obviously be allowed to clear to avoidl striking the cylinder-heads. The valve-stems 2 are each provided near its outer end with a rigid stop,consisting, preferably, of a washer 10, recessed, as at 1l, on one side and bearing at its other side upon aretaining-nut 12,held in place by a jam-nut 13. An expansile helical spring 14 bears between this washer and the recessed outer end 15 of a cap 16, constituting the outer endA of the stuffing-box through which this stem projects. The outer end of each stem is pivotally connected, as at 18, to one end of each of a pair of links 19, connected together by a shorter link 20, thereby forming a triangular frame,wi th the short link as the base. A roller 21 is carried at one end of the base of are pivotally connected to arms 22, rotatably mounted upon a counter-shaft 23, upon which a pair of cam-disks 24 are rigidly mounted in line with said rollers. These cam-disks are each provided with a rise 25 and are adjustable to different angular positions,to allowof which they are secured upon the counter shaft preferably by hubs '26 and set-screws 27. The counter-shaft is suitably mounted at right angles to the main shaft 28, which actuates the compressor, and is driven lthereby by means of a pair of different-sized bevel-gears 29 and 30, inserted rigidly upon a sleeve 31, slidably mounted upon the main shaft and connected thereto by a feather and spline, while a second pair of gears 32 and 33 are mounted upon the adjacent end of the counter-shaft gear corresponding in size to the smaller gear and gear having one-half the number of teeth of gear 29, the sleeve 3l being adjusted by a shift-lever 34 to bring either the gear 29 into mesh with the gear or the gear 30 into mesh with the gear 32.

A compressor constructed as thus far described and with the cams adjusted to open 'the valves simultaneously immediately upon the completion of each stroke of the piston will utilize the compressed fluid trapped in the clearance-space at the termination of each stroke to increase the efficiency of the next This is effected by the valves beingk stroke. opened for a brief interval at the termination of each stroke and the 4trapped compressed fluid being allowed to flow through one valve-chamber, conductor, or pipe G and the other valve-chamber to the opposite side of the piston; but as the cylinder will have been, as usual, during the preceding stroke filled to its full complement with the fluid to be compressed and as this trapped body is admitted to this portion of the cylinder only after it has been so filled it augments the iluid to be compressed, and the efficiency of the stroke which works this augmented contents of the cylinder is increased both in initial pressure (which is increased in proportion to the average difference between it and that of said augmentative body) and in power of further expansion, owing to the result ofreduction of temperature of said uid to be compressed due to the expansion of said trapped body in the midst of what had been the cylinders full complement of the fluid to be compressed, thus materially increasing the efficiency of each stroke of the piston. Under certain circumstances, however, I find that utilizing the economized compressed uid is not sufficient. For instance, if it is desired to cause a compressor to increase its output at a given pressure I reduce the temperature of the body of fluid contained in the cylinder ready to be compressed and increase the volume thereof. To enable this to be accomplished, the automatically-actuated valves are adjustable, as described. A branch pipe 35, controlled by a valve 50, is connected at one end to said pipe 6, preferably about midway of its length, and at its other end through a T-coupling 37 or otherwise to one end of each of two branches 38 and 39, the former, 38, leading from the exhaust end of an auxiliary eX- pansion or refrigerator coil 40, (smaller than the refrigerator-coil 91,) while the opposite end of branch 39 is connected by a T-coupling 41 or otherwise to one end of each of two branches 42 and 43. The branch 42 is connected at its opposite end to the exhaust end of the condenser-coil, and the opposite end of the bran ch 43 leads to the intake end of the auxiliary coil 40, valves 45 and 4G controlling the branch 39 and valves 47 and 48 controlling the branches 38 and 43, respectively. These connections and their -controllingvalves are and may be of ordinary construction and are therefore only indicated in diagram in Fig. 4.

To cause the compressor to supply a normal volume of a fluid at a given pressure, determined, as usual, by the regulating-valve, the

' cam-disks 24 should beadjusted around the shaft until their rises 25 will act in unison, and immediately upon the completion of each stroke the gear 29 should be moved into engagement with the gear 32, and the valves 45, 46, 47, 48, and should all be closed. The circuit will then be through this system, as

usual-viz., from the compressor through' condenser-coil, regulating-valve, and refrigerator-coil and back to compressor again, the trapped portion vof compressed fluid being transferred from the one to the other side of the piston at the completion of each stroke, or, in other words, each time the piston-actuating crank crosses the dead-center line.

llO

To supply the iiuid to be compressed at an increased pressure, and thereby cause the 'i compressor to supply an abnormal but not the maximum volume, the cam-disks should be adjusted to cause the cams 25 to act alter# nately, the gear should be moved into mesh `with the gear 32, and the valves 47, 48, and only opened. The circuit will then be as just described, except that what may be termed a shunt-circuit will be established by a small proportion of the compressed and condensed fluid in liquid form owingthrough branches 42 43, auxiliary refrigerator-coil 40, branches 88, branch 35, and pipe 6 to opposite ends ofthe cylinder alternately, thereby causing the piston to act each time upon a fluid existing under a pressure, which can be varied at will by controlling the amount of the liquid admitted 'into the auxiliary coil. In order to cause the maximum volume to be supplied by cach stroke of the piston, the valves 47 and 48 should be closed `and the valves 45, 46, and 50 opened, thereby causing a small quantity of fluid to be suppliedY direct to the full chamber immediately before compression. Y A,

A main advantageous feature of the specific construction above described is that a Y dwell in the cams can be utilized to retain the valves open for a brief interval Without delaying the operation of the compressor byY causing the valves to be actuated during the brief period when the piston-actuating crank' is crossing the dead-center line, the comparative dwell in the movement of the piston due to extreme slight movement of the piston-rod at this time enabling' an actual dwell to be made upon the cams 25, thereby providing suiiicient time for the trapped fluid to flow from one end of the cylinder to the other, because obviously when the piston is at the end of each stroke it is practically stationary, while the circular crank motion is of normal speed throughout theV stroke, and consequently by timing the cams to act during this period the above result is attained.

l/Vhat I claim is as follows:

l. The combination with a compression-cylinder having supply and exhaust ports and a piston reciprocating therein, of an auxiliary supply of high-pressure iiuid to said cylinder and means for varying the time of said auxiliary supply relatively to the movement of said piston, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a double-acting compression-cylinder having supply and exhaust ports at each end, and a piston reciprocating in said compression-cylinder, of a fluid-conductor communicating at one end with one end of said cylinder and at its other end with the other end of said cylinder, a pair of valves located one at the point of junction of each end of said conductor with the cylinder, and' means' for simultaneously'opening and closing said valves, substantially as de- -scribed and for the purpose 'set forth.

3. The combination with the double-actin g compression-cylinder having supply and eX# haust ports at each end thereof, and a piston reciprocating therein, of a fluid-conductor communicating at its ends with both ends of said cylinder, a pair of valves controlling the opposite ends of said conductor and means actuated in conjunction with said piston for simultaneously opening and closing said valves, and means for changing the time of action of said valve actuating mechanism relatively to the reciprocation of said piston, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination with a double-acting compression-cylinder having supply and ein haust ports at each end thereof, a piston reciprocating therein, a main shaft and an operative connection between said shaft and piston; ofa duid-conductor and means forY causing said conductor to, at intervals, communicate with both ends of said cylinder, said means consisting of a counter-shaft, an operative connection between said main and counter shafts; a pair of valves controlling `the opposite ends of said conductor, and an operative connection between said valves and counter-shaft, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination with a double-acting compression-cylinder havingsupply and eX- haust ports at each end thereof, a piston reciprocating therein, a main shaft and an operative connection between said shaft and piston; of a duid-conductor and means for causing said conductor to at intervals, c ommunicate with both ends of said cylinder, said means consisting of a counter-shaft, an operative connection between said main and counter shafts; a pair of valves controlling the opposite ends of said conductor and. a variableoperative connection between said valves and counter-shaft, substantially as described and'for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with a double-acting compression-cylinder having supply and eX- haust ports at each end thereof, a piston reciprocating therein, a main shaft, and an opera-tive connection between said shaft and piston; of a fluid-conductor and means for causing said conductor to, at intervals, communicate with both ends of said cylinder, said means consisting of a counter-shaft, an operative connection between said main and counter shafts a pair of disks mounted upon said counter-shaft, and each having ya periph-A eral cam; a pair of valves controlling the opposite ends of said conductor; apair of springs maintaining saidvalves closed; and an operative connection between' said cams and valves whereby said valves will at intervals be opened, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with' a d crible-acting compression-cylinder having supply and eX- haust ports at' each end thereof, a pis ton re ciprocating therein, va main shaft and an operative connection between said shaft and IOO piston; of a Huid-conductor and means for causing said conductor to, at intervals, communicate with both ends of said cylinder, said means consisting of a counter-shaft, an operative connection between said main and counter shafts a pair of cam-disks adjustably mounted upon said counter-shaft, and each having a peripheral cam; a pair of valves controlling the opposite ends of said conductor; a pair of springs maintaining said valves closed; and an operative connection between said cams and Valves whereby said valves will at intervals be opened, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

S. The combination with a double-acting compression-cylinder having supply and exhaust ports at each end thereof, a piston reciprocating therein, a main shaft and an operative connection between said shaft and piston; of a Huid-conductor and means for causing said conductor to, at intervals, communicate with both ends of said cylinder, said means consisting ofv a counter-shaft7 an operative connection between said main and counter shafts a pair of cam-disks mounted upon said counter-shaft, and each having a peripheral cam; a pair of valves controlling the opposite ends of said conductor; a pair of springs maintaining said valves closed; a pair of frames connected at one end to the stems of said valves, and means for maintaining said frames in bearing relation at their other ends with said cam-disks, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

9. A fluid-compressing system comprising a compression-cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a condenser-coil communicating with said exhaust-port; a refrigerator-coil communicating at one end with said condenser-coil and at its other end with the said supply-ports; a regulating-valve controlling the communication between said condenser and refrigerator coil; a fluid-duct communicating at one end with the exhaust end of said condenser-coil and leading directly to and communicating at its other end with said cylinder; and a valve for controlling said ducts, substantially as described and for the 'purpose set forth.

10. A fluid-compressing system comprising a compression-cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a condensercoil communicating with said exhaust-port; a refrigerator -coil communicating at one end with said condenser-coil and at its other end with the said supply-port; a regulating-valve controlling the communication between said condenser and refrigerator coils; an auxiliary refrigerator-coil; a iiuid-duct communicating at one end with the exhaust end of said condensercoil and leading directly to and communicating at its other end with said auxiliary coil; a second iiuid-duct communicating at one end with said auxiliary coil and at its other end with said cylinder; and a valve for controlling each of said ducts, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

`ll. A double-acting fluid-compressing system comprising a compression-cylinder having a supply and an exhaust port at each end thereof, a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a condenser-coil communicating with said exhaust-ports; a refrigerator-coil communicating at one end with said condensercoil and at its other` end with said supplyport; a regulating-valve controlling the communication between said condenser and refrigerator coil; a fluid-duct communicating at one end with one end of said cylinder and at its other end with the other end of said cylinder; a branch pipe leading from said fluid-duct to the exhaust end of said condenser-coil; valves controlling the opposite ends of said Huid-ducts; means actuated in conjunction with said piston for causing said valves to act alternately; and a valve controlling said branch pipe, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

12. A double-acting fluid-compressing system comprising a compression-cylinder having a supply and an exhaust port at each end thereof, a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a condenser-coil communicating with said exhaust-port; a refrigerator-coil communicating at one end with said condensercoil and at its other end with said supplyport; a regulating-valve controlling the communication between said condenser and refrigerator coils; a iiuid-duct, f, an auxiliary refrigerator-coil; a branch pipe 38 connecting said fluid-duct to one end of said refrigerator-coil; a second branch pipe 43, 42 connecting the other end of said auxiliary coil to the exhaust end of said condenser-coil; valves controlling the opposite ends of said fluid-ducts 38; means operated in conj unction with said piston for causing said valves to act alternately and a valve for controlling each of said branch pipes, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

13. A double-acting Huid-compressing system comprising a compression-cylinder having a supply and an exhaust port at each end thereof; valves for controlling said ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a condenser-coil communicating with said exhaustport; a refrigerator-coil communicating at one end with said condenser-coil and at its other .end with said supply-port; a regulating-valve controlling the communication between the said condenser and refrigerator coils; a fluidduct communicating at one end with one end of said cylinder and at its other end with the other end of said cylinder; valves controlling the opposite ends of said fluid-duct, means for causing said valves to act alternately; a branch pipe communicating at one end with said uid-duct; a valve for controlling said branch pipe; a second branch pipe communicating at one end with the outer end of said first-mentioned branch pipe and at its other end with the exhaust end of said condensercoil; a valve for controlling said second branch pipe; an auxiliary coil; a third branch pipe communicating at one end with the outer end of said first-mentioned branch pipe and its other end'with one end of said auxiliary coil; a valve forcontrolling said third-mentioned branch pipe; a fourth branch pipe communicating at one end with the other end of said auxiliary coil and at its other end with the exhaust end of said condenser-coil and a valve for controlling said last-mentioned branch pipe, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

14. A double-acting duid-compressing system comprising a compression-cylinder having a supply and an exhaust port at each end thereof; valves for controlling said ports; a

piston reciprocating` in said cylinder; a condenser-coil communicating With said exhaustcoil; a refrigerator-coil communicating' at one 'end With said condenser-coil and at its other end With said supply-port; a regulating-Valve vcontrolling the communication between the said condenser and refrigerator coils; a luidduct communieating` at one end with one end of said cylinder and at its other end with the other end of said cylinder; valves controlling the opposite ends of said duct, variable means for causing,` said Valves to act alternately or in unison; a branch pipe communicating at one end with said Huid-duet; a Valve for controlling` said branch pipe; a second branch l pipe communicating at one end with the outer end of said lirst-mention'ed branch pipe and at its other end with the exhaust end of said condenser-coil; a valve for controlling said second branch pipe; an auxiliary coil; athird branch pipe communicating at one end With the outer end of said first-mentioned branch pipe and its other end with one end of said auxiliary coiiga valve for controlling said. 

